The Genoa Vascular Biobank: A Today Resource for Future Perspectives in Vascular Research

TL;DR

The Genoa Vascular Biobank collects biospecimens and clinical data from patients with vascular diseases to support future research on biomarkers and therapies.

Contribution

The GTB-VD is a novel, integrated vascular biobank in Italy that combines biospecimens with detailed clinical data for targeted research.

Findings

The GTB-VD collected data from 442 carotid artery stenosis and 214 abdominal aortic aneurysm patients from 2018 to 2023.

Carotid artery stenosis is more common in patients with diabetes and peripheral artery disease, while abdominal aortic aneurysm is linked to pulmonary history and renal issues.

The biobank uses standardized procedures to ensure data accuracy and sample quality, supporting future molecular and biomarker research.

Abstract

Biological knowledge and patient care have been significantly improved by the emergence of big data analysis and -omics sciences, requiring high quality standards for biospecimen and data collection. Biobanks are complex and dynamic units designated to fulfill these needs.

The Genoa Vascular Biobank (GTB-VD) is a collaborative network between the IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino (Centre of Biological Resources), and the University of Genoa (Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Unit; Anatomic Pathology Unit; Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Vascular Biology). This work describes workflow, ethic and governance requirements, demographic and clinical characteristics of subjects enrolled in the GTB-VD, and the volume of open or endovascular surgical interventions.

The GTB-VD recruits patients undergoing surgical repair for carotid artery stenosis (CS) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), enrolled on the basis of selection criteria and subdivided for pathology and type of intervention, upon informed consent.

Biospecimens comprise serum, plasma, whole blood, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and urine (from AAA only), stored at −80°C; lesions from open surgeries are frozen and formalin fixed paraffin embedded. Samples are associated with donor’s clinical data through pseudonymization to prevent patient identification. Data accuracy and sample quality are ensured by harmonized standard operative procedures.

From 2018 to the end of 2023, 442 CS (distinguished into severe-asymptomatic or symptomatic, displaying a ratio of 5:1) and 214 AAA have been collected. CS is more frequently associated with diabetes and peripheral artery diseases, AAA with pulmonary history, and renal function impairment. Open surgery is more used for CS and endovascular for AAA.

The GTB–VD, as organized, represents an “unicum” in our Country; it supports studies to identify molecular targets and biomarkers associated with specific arteriopathy, for developing secondary prevention strategies and minimally invasive, in situ therapies. Collaborative studies and sample sharing are welcome.

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